FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The University of Michigan-Dearborn softball team split a pair of games against Lourdes University on Saturday (Mar. 30). The Wolverines came from behind in game two to secure a crucial conference win, bringing them back to .500 on the year.
The game started with Michigan-Dearborn striking first in the bottom of the first inning. Ava Craft delivered an RBI single, bringing home Olivia Scott to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. However, the early advantage didn't last long as Lourdes responded in the fourth inning with back-to-back home runs. Lindsey McGann and Maddie Darrah went yard, putting Lourdes ahead 2-1.
In the sixth inning, Lourdes extended their lead with another solo shot, this time from Olivia Hickman, making it 3-1. UM-Dearborn mounted a response in the bottom of the frame, with Braylin Grueter hitting a solo home run to cut the lead to 3-2, but that would be all the offense the Wolverines could muster.
Despite a strong performance, Sydni Uhlenberg took the loss for the Wolverines, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing three runs on six hits. She struck out 10 but also gave up three home runs, which proved to be the difference in the game.
In game two, Lourdes struck first in the opening inning, as Olivia Hickman doubled to left-center, driving in Jessyca Smith to give them a 1-0 lead. However, Michigan-Dearborn quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. Kendall Phillip blasted a two-run homer, scoring Cate Pastori to give UM-Dearborn a 2-1 lead.
The Wolverines extended their lead in the third inning with three more runs. Phillip added another key contribution, advancing to third on a sacrifice fly from Ava Craft, allowing Pastori to score. Then, Kendyl Gearhart hit a fielder's choice to first base, bringing Phillip across the plate. Brooklynn Jones followed with an RBI single, scoring Gearhart and making it 5-1.
But Lourdes wasn't done yet. In the fourth inning, Lourdes mounted a rally with five runs. Alyssa Goretzka reached base on an error, allowing Ava Auler to score. Then, Jessyca Smith singled, advancing to second on an error and bringing in two more runs, followed by Brooke Albert's RBI single to give Lourdes a 7-5 lead.
In a tense final stretch, UM-Dearborn responded. In the bottom of the sixth, Brooklynn Jones homered to cut the deficit to 7-6. The Wolverines tied the game when Cate Pastori grounded out to the pitcher, scoring Lindsay Marlewitz. The winning run came when Phillip advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Claire Muehlbrandt scored on another wild pitch, giving Michigan-Dearborn an 8-7 lead.
